EVERYTHING
alpha and omega
both the beginning and the end; the essentials, from the beginning to the end; everything, from the beginning to the end. (Fixed order.)He was forced to learn the alpha and omega of corporate law in order to even talk to the lawyers.He loved her deeply; she was his alpha and omega.
everything but the kitchen sink
almost everything one can think of.When Sally went off to college, she took everything but the kitchen sink.John orders everything but the kitchen sink when he goes out to dinner, especially if someone else is paying for it.
everything from soup to nuts and everything from A to Z
almost everything one can think of.For dinner we had everything from soup to nuts.In college I studied everything from soup to nuts.She mentioned everything from A to Z.
kit and caboodle
the entire amount; everyone; everything. (Folksy. Fixed order.)Everybody in the family was there—the whole kit and caboodle.The sheriff came and threw the crook out of town, kit and caboodle.
lock, stock, and barrel
everything. (Fixed order.)We had to move everything out of the house—lock, stock, and barrel.We lost everything—lock, stock, and barrel—in the fire.
long and (the) short of it
the whole story; all the necessary facts. (Fixed order.)I was late and I missed my train, and that's the long and short of it.Soon after the big green frog turned into a handsome prince, Princess Ellen and her newfound love went to live happily ever after in a kingdom by the sea, and that's the long and the short of it.
all that jazz
n. all that stuff; all that nonsense.I need some glue, paper, string, and all that jazz to make a kite.She told me I was selfish, hateful, rude, ugly, and all that jazz.
everything from soup to nuts
n. everything imaginable.It looks like she brought everything from soup to nuts.I have everything from soup to nuts in my briefcase.
from A to Z
mod. of a complete and wide variety.We have just about everything from A to Z.She ordered everything on the menu from A to Z.
kit and caboodle
n. everything; all parts and property. (Often with whole.)I want you out of here—kit and caboodle— by noon.She moved in to stay, kit and caboodle.She plunked her whole kit and caboodle right in my way.
the works
n. the entire amount; everything.I'd like my hamburger with onions, pickles, catsup, mustard—the works.She's getting the works at the beauty shop—cut, wash, dye, and set.
whole bag of tricks
n. everything; every possibility.Well, now. I've used my whole bag of tricks, and we still haven't solved this.It may take my whole bag of tricks to do it, but I'll try.
whole ball of wax
n. everything; the whole thing. (Always with the.)Well, that just about ruins the whole ball of wax.Your comments threatened the whole ball of wax, that's what.
whole enchilada
n. the whole thing; everything. (From Spanish. Always with the.)Nobody, but nobody, ever gets the whole enchilada.Max wants the whole enchilada.
whole nine yards
n. the entire amount; everything. (Always with the. Origin unknown.)For you I'll go the whole nine yards.You're worth the whole nine yards.
whole schmear
n. the entire amount; the entire affair. (Yiddish. Always with the.)You just wrecked the whole schmear, that's what.I'll take a hamburger with everything on it—the whole schmear.
whole shebang and whole shooting match
n. the whole affair; everything and everyone. (Folksy. Always with the.)The whole shebang is just about washed up.I'm fed up with the whole shooting match.